Realme 9 Pro+ vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9 Pro+ and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, helping you make an informed decision.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi Note 12 Pro edges out the Realme 9 Pro+ thanks to its brighter display, slightly faster charging, and the Dimensity 1080 chipset offering a small performance boost. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ boasts a superior camera system, particularly in low light, making it a close call depending on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 9 Pro+ Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, February 162022, October 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 21Available. Released 2022, November 01
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight182 g (6.42 oz)187 g (6.60 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jack-Yes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised)67W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 46 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited EditionFrosted Blue (Sky Blue), Onyx Black (Midnight Black), Polar White, Stardust Purple
ModelsRMX3392, RMX339322101316C, 22101316I, 23013RK75C, 22101316G
Price€ 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999€ 148.54 / $ 142.17 / £ 149.99 / ₹ 19,999
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)     1.09 W/kg (head)     1.06 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 117h Endurance rating 97h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.3 LUFS (Very good) -26.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9) GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 490526 (v9) GeekBench: 2209 (v5.1), 2372 (v6) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme 9 Pro+

  • Excellent camera, especially in low light
  • Fast 60W charging
  • Vibrant AMOLED display
  • Stylish design

  • Slightly older chipset
  • Lower peak brightness compared to Redmi Note 12 Pro
  • No expandable storage

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro

  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Faster 67W charging
  • Slightly more powerful Dimensity 1080 chipset
  • Good value for money

  • Camera not as impressive as Realme 9 Pro+ in low light
  • Design can be considered less premium
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. However, the Redmi Note 12 Pro's measured 890 nits peak brightness gives it a significant advantage in outdoor visibility. The Realme 9 Pro+’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘infinite’ which is a nominal value and doesn’t provide concrete data.

Camera Comparison

The Realme 9 Pro+ shines in the camera department, particularly with its 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor. This sensor is known for its excellent low-light performance and dynamic range. While the Redmi Note 12 Pro has a capable camera system, it doesn't quite match the Realme's image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Both offer video recording up to 4K resolution.

Performance

The Redmi Note 12 Pro utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 1080, a slightly newer and more powerful chipset than the Realme 9 Pro+'s Dimensity 920. While both offer smooth performance for everyday tasks, the Redmi Note 12 Pro will likely handle more demanding games and applications with slightly better efficiency. Both phones have 8GB of RAM.

Battery Life

Both phones offer a respectable battery life with endurance ratings around 97 hours. The Redmi Note 12 Pro’s 67W charging is noticeably faster than the Realme 9 Pro+'s 60W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. The Redmi Note 12 Pro also has a slightly better active use score.

Buying Guide

The Realme 9 Pro+ is ideal for photography enthusiasts who prioritize camera quality and don't mind a slightly older chipset. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is a better choice for users who value a brighter display, faster charging, and a more modern processor for smoother everyday performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
The Realme 9 Pro+ generally offers better low-light camera performance thanks to its larger and more capable primary sensor.
❓ Is the Dimensity 1080 significantly faster than the Dimensity 920?
While the Dimensity 1080 is newer, the performance difference isn't massive for everyday use. Both chipsets are capable for most tasks.